2014 District Convention: How Babylon the Great Has “Shut Up the Kingdom”

“…if you are convinced that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an educator of the senseless, a teacher of little children…therefore you who teach someone else, do you not teach yourself?…You who boast in the law dishonor God by transgressing the law! For just as it is written, “the name of God is being blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (Romans 2:19-24 NET Bible)

This part on the Friday afternoon session uses Luke 11:52 to open the discussion, showing how the religious leaders of Jesus’ day shut up the kingdom by denying their flocks the knowledge of God. The speaker then stated that those Pharisees were part of Babylon the Great.

Quoting Revelation 18:24 the speaker showed how Babylon the Great has been blood-guilty due to all the wars it has promoted throughout history. However, please note that the verse begins by condemning her for the blood of prophets and holy ones. This element was not mentioned in the talk. In most countries nowadays, Babylon the great is not legally able to murder holy ones and prophets, but she can and does persecute them. Therefore, any religion that persecutes, bans, and shuns faithful individuals who try to proclaim Bible truths to set matters straight, could qualify for membership in Babylon the Great. For some, cutting them off from friends and family has resulted in times of depression so intense that they have committed suicide. Worse, however, would be the loss of faith, for physical death is temporary, but spiritual death may be permanent. Those leaders of Babylon the Great feel no compunction in condemning the guiltless ones who challenge their authority and by so doing run the risk of having a mill stone tied around their neck before being chucked into the deep, blue sea. (Mt 18:6; Mk 9:42; Lu 17:2)

The next claim the speaker made was that the leaders of false religion are “self-serving hypocrites who shut up the kingdom to people everywhere”. Six scriptures are then read to show how Jesus’ words apply as much today as they did back then.

Starting with Matthew 23:2, he read: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses.” He then said “You notice there? They claim to represent God, sitting in the seat of Moses and yet they shamelessly hide his very name.” It then goes on to denounce the Vatican for a recent 2008 edict requiring that God’s name be stricken from all written documents and verbal sermons. Abhorrent? Yes. But what does that have to do with what Jesus is denouncing in Matthew 23:2? We are missing the proper application of this scripture. He condemns those who presume to sit in the seat of Moses and thereby claim to represent God.

If you do a search on “Korah” in the Watchtower library program, you’ll find reference to him made in Watchtower articles in almost every year from the start of the 21st Century, often multiple articles in a given year. Korah opposed Moses who was indisputably God’s appointed channel of communication at that time. (w12 10/15 p. 13; w11 9/15 p. 27; w02 1/15 p.29; w02 3/15 p. 16; w02 8/1 p. 10; w00 6/15 p. 13; w00 8/1 p. 10) Jesus Christ is the greater Moses, so the example still fits—even more so. However, that is not our point. The parallel is drawn time and again that the action of Korah is paralleled by modern-day apostates who challenge God’s modern-day appointed channel of communication, the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

It is incumbent on the discerning listener to ask him or herself if our leadership has not likewise seated themselves in the seat of Moses. The determination must lie in their actions. Like those ancient Pharisees, are they shutting up the kingdom? We will see.

Moving now to Matthew 23:4, the speaker continued: “They bind up heavy loads and put them on the shoulders of men, but they themselves are not willing to budge them with their finger.” He then applied those words to the Catholic church’s policy of paying for indulgences. Again, a reprehensible practice, but there are so many ways that this verse can be applied. We also tie heavy burdens on the backs of our membership. We have been guilty of stigmatizing higher education while at the same time using dedicated funds to send Bethelites to University to become lawyers or other professionals. Those who constantly extol self-abnegation in the pioneer service, live in beautiful surroundings with their every need taken care of by a cadre of volunteer servants. They do not wash their own clothes, cook their own meals, nor clean their own apartments. They are, quite literally, the Lords of the manor.

He then read Matthew 23:5-10. Verse five was applied to the religious garb that the Catholic Church is notable for. Of course, most fundamentalist religions are also considered by us to be part of Babylon the great despite the fact that they dress exactly as we do. Versus 8 to 10 were used to denounce the practice of mainstream religions of assuming pretentious, high-sounding titles. Specifically we are told not to be called leader, because one is our leader, the Christ. The implication is that unlike other religions, we do not give in to this. Yet, think, if you call yourself a governor, is that not just another name for leader; one who governs? It is not the Governing Body our leadership? Is not a Governing Body member, a leadership member?

“You’ve got to support his anointed brothers, accepting their leadership because God is with them.’” (w12 4/15 p. 18 Seventy Years of Holding On to the Skirt of a Jew)

“In a symbolic way, Christians with an earthly hope today walk behind the anointed slave class and its Governing Body, following their leadership.” (w08 1/15 p. 26 par. 6 Counted Worthy to Be Guided to Fountains of Waters of Life)

We may not refer to anyone in the Organization as “Leader”, but we are merely obeying the letter of Jesus’ words. The spirit behind them is violated every time we refer to “a member of the Governing Body” in the near reverential overtones we’ve all become accustomed to hearing of late.

Using Matthew 23:13 the speaker states that Babylon the great is a leading factor for the spread of atheism around the globe because of three practices: 1) false religion’s hypocritical involvement wars, 2) their constant scandals in covering up for pedophile priests, and 3) their continual appeal for funds.

The record of Jehovah’s Witnesses with regard to involvement in wartime killing is pretty clean. However, our record with regard to covering up the sin of pedophilia has given us membership to a very undesirable false religious club. At one point in time, we could have claimed two out of three on this score. However, our latest policy to grab at the funds held by individual congregations while urging them to make additional firm monthly commitments means that at best we can claim a one out of three score. Is that enough to keep us out of Babylon the great? Not according to the principle found at James 2:10, 11.

Next, the speaker read Matthew 23:23, 24. The claim is made that false religion (i.e., Babylon the great) is guilty of failing to teach its flock how true Christians should live. False religions now promote adultery, homosexuality, same sex marriage, etc. Of course, false religion has been around for centuries, but it is only in the past few years that they have permitted such attitudes, yet they have always been false. Additionally, not all the religions that we would lump into Babylon the great tolerate these things. The scribes and the Pharisees were not known for permissive attitudes. Quite the contrary. A careful re-reading of these two verses will indicate that Jesus was referring to a too-strict application of the law—not a too-permissive one—while disregarding the more important qualities of justice mercy and faithfulness. We are misapplying the Scripture to try to make ourselves look good while condemning the rest. Are we not guilty of injustice and a lack of mercy through our many abuses of the disfellowshipping arrangement which is often used to maintain doctrinal purity in support of the interpretation of our leadership? We have imitated the Pharisees that Jesus here condemns by also inventing our own laws and then forcing others to apply them. We have our own equivalent of the tenth of the dill and the cumin in our requirement to report even in ¼ hour increments, to cite just one example.

Using Matthew 23:34, the speaker showed how Babylon the Great has persecuted our brothers. However, a quick internet search shows that we are not the only Christian religion that is persecuted. When other smaller Christian denominations are persecuted by the bigger denominations, does that mean they are no longer part of Babylon the Great as we allege? Jesus is referring to the Pharisees persecuting and killing prophets, wise men, and public instructors. These individuals are sent to them by Christ. So what we need to look for in applying Jesus’ words is not one organization persecuting another, but rather the leadership of a religion persecuting individuals who are speaking the truth as given to them by Jesus Christ. What would happen if you were to stand up in your congregation and show from Scripture that the teaching of 1914 as Christ’s invisible presence is flawed, or that the other sheep are nowhere shown in the Bible to represent a class with an earthly resurrection hope? Would you be listened to and respected or would you be persecuted?

The talk closes with an exhortation to all to zealously preach while time remains so as to help those still left in Babylon the Great to get out of her before it is too late.

Before we close, let’s return to Matthew 23:13 which is the theme text for this convention discourse. The claim is that Babylon the Great, like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, shuts up the kingdom of the heavens. The majority of religions in Christendom teach that all good people go to heaven. It is true that most of them do not properly represent the kingdom of God to their flock. They also teach false religious doctrines and practices which make it very difficult for people to qualify for the kingdom of the heavens since everyone liking and carrying on a lie is to be excluded. (Re 22:15) Therefore, if we accept this as a qualification for membership in the Babylon the Great club, we must examine ourselves. While throwing rocks at other religions, are we living in a glass house? We consider ourselves as “a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an educator of the senseless, a teacher of little children”. Nevertheless are we who presume to teach others, not willing to teach ourselves? (Ro 2:19-24)

We teach that only a small remnant of 144,000 remaining on earth will go to heaven. That means that 99.9% of all the Jehovah’s Witnesses on earth today are excluded from the kingdom of the heavens. The Bible does not teach this. It is speculation based on false assumptions and has never been proven scripturally since it was introduced in 1935 by J.F. Rutherford. If the other religions of Christendom who teach that all good people go to heaven are guilty of shutting up the Kingdom of the heavens, how much more so guilty are we. For we deny our members even a chance at the hope of attaining to the reward that Christ freely extended to all his followers.

It is appalling that we have the unmitigated gall to stand up in public before a worldwide audience of millions and condemn all other Christian religions, when truly, in the category of “shutting up the kingdom”, we win first prize.

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34 Comments on "2014 District Convention: How Babylon the Great Has “Shut Up the Kingdom”"

[…] Par. 17 – “Regularly attend Christian meetings, assemblies, and conventions.” There is no need to add the qualifier “JW” in front of “Christian meetings…” because we would simply not consider the Christian meetings, assemblies, and conventions of other Christian denominations. They would not qualify because they are not part of true Christianity as we are, because they teach falsehoods. Ah, but therein lies the rub for an increasing number of us. As the subheading asks, we are wondering if we can truly prove we love God if we attend JW gatherings where falsehoods are taught. These two parts from… Read more »

Lawrence, thank you for explaining that: “Many of my Christian(of “Christendom”) friends,I believe.really do their best to live up to God’s standards of love,etc.Despite not going door-to-door,some of them just love talking about God & Christ.Their sincerity & kindness makes one want to chat with them – without the feeling that religion talk is taboo.A form of witnessing,perhaps?What about the charitable works that some churches do?Wouldn’t unbelievers be grateful for the soup lines?Sure,others do such charity,too!Would God simply “write off” our favorite “Christendom”?” I could not agree with you more! I have been d/f for several years and when I… Read more »

Ill tell you a story of what happened to me a couple of years ago . I took my car to a mechanic who then decided to deride other mechanics who i had dealt with previously and said he could not do the same thing to his customers he looked disgusted . Those comments then built up my faith and confidence in this man so he worked on my car and i paid him even giving him a nice little tip . Then a few months later i had the same problems only to find out that he botched my… Read more »

smolderwick What can I say only to agree with you, sad but not really because to suffer for the Christ is a blessing and I am only starting to understand all this. After many yrs as a JW I have never come to know Christ, I am awakening and it was very scary as it puts one outside of the org, because Christ and the org don’t mix, but I am starting to feel a freedom I have not had before, I may lose some things but I know I will gain so much more, I am on a journey… Read more »

Lawrence L said: “With the advent of the Internet,we can now discover new info & able to debate things like whether the trinity/triune God taught by the churches could actually be true.Instead of unraveling the “errors” of the churches(or Christendom,if the J.W.s prefer) perhaps it would be better for the survival of the WTBTS to join forces with & appreciate the good works of some “Christendom”

Lawrence L. I’m somewhat confused by your comment. Could you be more specific about what you are suggesting…and the reason behind it?.

Imacountrygirl2,with God all things are possible,right?& there’s a plethora of info as well as scriptures to support the trinity/triune God doctrine.Many of my Christian(of “Christendom”) friends,I believe.really do their best to live up to God’s standards of love,etc.Despite not going door-to-door,some of them just love talking about God & Christ.Their sincerity & kindness makes one want to chat with them – without the feeling that religion talk is taboo.A form of witnessing,perhaps?What about the charitable works that some churches do?Wouldn’t unbelievers be grateful for the soup lines?Sure,others do such charity,too!Would God simply “write off” our favorite “Christendom”? So,whether or not… Read more »

Smolderwick, none are as blind as Gods people the same situation existed with the Israelite nation, going from bad to worse only happens when ones are not humble enough to accept their own responsibility for their errors, this has been the case with the WT so its easier to throw those rocks for ones like this. Because the WT hides behind the wrongs of others and hides the facts from their own playing this spiritual warfare game against their own its become far worse, and many have been stumbled. Isaiah 42:19,20 19)Who are the blind but My servants? And who… Read more »

Hi Katrina, and yes this seating on the seat of Moses is true. But what is worse is their seating themselves on the throne of Christ. And their power-huckster’s method of doing so! They have taken charge in their own volition using words of entitlement to validate their claim. A very serious step. But since it has survived for generations already taken by WT predecessors, the best we can do is wait for Jesus to expose the ruse in his own way. That’s coming. I recall a conversation with a senior member of the writing department back in the 90’s.… Read more »

Katrina Said:
“In wanting to compare themselves to Moses they have become just like Korah, Dathan and Abiram, who also persuaded others to follow them. But their end will be the same as those earlier rebels.”

Excellent point Katrina!
I never thought about it that way. But it is so true, the GB are the one who have become like Korah.

Search for Truth, I feel exactly the same its become unbearable, I can’t in all conscience subject myself to this much more, its spiritual abuse and I feel such a hypocrite sitting there, I don’t want to know anymore, its just to obvious that this is NOT the way of Christ.

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. True. They should draw the drapes No doubt this truism applies more to Jehovah’s Witnesses than any other—not that they failed to expose the hypocrisy in other religions. They threw stones, even big rocks. But in doing so they left themselves wide open to Jesus own advice on how to extract the straw from your brother’s eye AFTER extracting the rafter in your own. Our glass house exposes us to the same scrutiny we claim to have. Had we applied the same honesty we expected of others we wouldn’t be… Read more »

Yes, they do need to be exposed, but not by an organization. By individuals as it has always been. By a people, even, under Christ. However, the moment a people become an organization, they become that which stands in opposition, because to be an organization means to submit to men and not God.

Smolderingwick1,you said “Jehovah’s Witnesses built their platform on exposing errors”.I guess the new Management who call themselves the “Governing Body” with capitals G & B think they’re flawless.It has somehow got into their heads.But what if the “Teaching Committee” right down to the local elders & even the rank-and-file think likewise?Scary! With the advent of the Internet,we can now discover new info & able to debate things like whether the trinity/triune God taught by the churches could actually be true.Instead of unraveling the “errors” of the churches(or Christendom,if the J.W.s prefer) perhaps it would be better for the survival of… Read more »

I believe many J.W.s are sincere & honest-hearted persons.If they are somehow unknowingly & actually preaching the WTBTS & “Governing Body” doctrines,I pray that God will forgive them & give them a place in heaven or earth for their eternal life.

Sadly it’s not about Jehovah, Jesus or Bible anymore, it’s all about them(Gb). Actually it was like that for long time I just didn’t see it being in the happy Jw bubble. All we are supposed to do is to digest everything served as a spiritual food from Jehovah. No one can argue any scripture with the Fds and if you do you pay the consequences. At the end it all comes down to one question ‘ do you believe that the Gb is the faithful and discreet slave and the Jehovah’s channel to feed his people’ ? I still… Read more »

I like to answer their questions with questions. It really frustrates them. When Asked: Do you believe that the Governing Body is the Faithful and Discreet Slave and Jehovah’s channel to feed his people? Answer with: Are you saying the Governing Body is sitting in the seat of Moses? [Matthew 23:2] If so, where does Jesus stand? The last I knew Jesus was the greater Moses. Was Jehovah using J. F. Rutherford to feed his people in the 1920’s when he was saying “Millions Now Living Will Never Die?”, When he was saying that Armageddon was coming in 1925? When… Read more »

That is one of my biggest pet peeves. I’ve always said that I am a JW but I don’t agree with everything. The first thing a brother Willa so me is do I belieev that the GB is the FaDS? Since when does being a Christian or a JW rely on a group of men. I’m a Christian not a Governing-Body-ite.

Kian Swee Lim, Thank you for your comment…I’m glad you chose to stop you “studying” and instead found the truth. I think what you said is very astute. “Sometimes I don’t want to tell the congregation members the facts about the WTBTS for fear of breaking their hearts & robbing them of their joy.” I really appreciated hearing that from you. I think I can speak for many that we want our blinded brothers and sisters to have their eyes opened so desperately. You are right, it would break their heart, I know because it broke my heart when I… Read more »

My wife is a J.W.I “spiritually-progressed” & but later I found websites like this.Even told the elders stuff like the two-witness policy,child abuse cases,etc.An elder said he’d only continue our “bible study & discussion” if I stopped reading “apostate” material.I’m glad I stopped “studying” with him.I learn even more of God’s word through the Internet & my attendance at a local Baptist church.

Sometimes I don’t want to tell the congregation members the facts about the WTBTS for fear of breaking their hearts & robbing them of their joy.Shunning is a disappointment but I don’t really care.

People don’t realize that it’s not the Word of God they use to prove their doctrines. It’s the Governing Body. For example, we would explain to someone using all the different scriptures as to why Jesus is Michael the Archangel. Now if they go though the bible proving it and the GB came out and said that he is not Michael the Archangel, witnesses would change their view right then and there. And then how would they view all the scriptures they just used? Now you would have to ask them whose view did they just consider the Bibles or… Read more »

A very thorough review as always Meleti, thank you for all the time you spend helping us to see the hypocrisy of the GB!

I have not considered myself as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses for several years now, so I in no way identify with the Governing Body. The view from out here, is a whole lot different than what appears to be the view in there.

CJ, that is interesting what you say. I think the Watchtower has more in common with the Catholic Church than they would ever acknowledge.